UNDP in Bangladesh

6 Reduce child mortality

Where we are?

Communities are now better able to protect mothers and infants: the infant mortality rate is steadily decreasing. Photo: Salman Saeed/UNDP Bangladesh

Bangladesh has already met the target of reducing under-five mortality rate: against the target of achieving 48 per 1,000 live births in 2015, it has already achieved 44 per 1,000 live births in 2011. The target of reducing the infant mortality rate is also on track. The successful programs for immunization, control of diarrhoeal diseases and Vitamin A supplementation are considered to be the most significant contributors to the decline in child and infant deaths along with potential effect of overall economic and social development.

Despite these improvements, there are challenges ahead. While the mortality rates have improved, major inequalities among the population still need to be addressed. Childhood injuries, especially drowning, have emerged as a considerable public health problem responsible for a full quarter of the deaths among children from one to four years of age.

Status

Goal, targets and indicators (as revised)

Base year

1990/91

Current status (source)

Target by 2015

Goal 4: Reduce child mortality

Target 4.A: Reduce by two-thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate.